For beginners, 'The Guide' by R.K. Narayan is a great start. It's a simple yet profound story set in a small South Indian town. The characters are relatable, and Narayan's writing style is easy to follow, which makes it accessible for those new to Indian literature.
Another good option is 'Kanthapura' by Raja Rao. It tells the story of a village's transformation during the Indian independence movement. The narrative is engaging, and it gives an insight into the social and political climate of that time in a way that is not too complex for new readers.
A great choice is 'Charlotte's Web' by E.B. White. It's a classic children's novel but also suitable for beginner adult readers. The story of the friendship between Wilbur the pig and Charlotte the spider is heartwarming. The vocabulary is not overly complicated, and it can help new readers get used to reading for pleasure and understanding the basic elements of a story, like character development and plot.
I would recommend 'The God of Small Things' by Arundhati Roy for beginners. It has a relatively accessible writing style and a captivating story that draws you in. The themes it explores, like family dynamics and social inequality, are presented in a way that's easy to understand yet thought - provoking.
For beginners, 'The Hating Game' by Sally Thorne is a fun choice. It's a contemporary romance with a lot of banter between the two main characters, Lucy and Joshua. They start off hating each other at work but gradually realize there's more to their relationship. It's a light - hearted read with a sweet love story.
For beginners, 'The True Story of Ah Q' by Lu Xun is a good start. It's a relatively short and easy - to - understand novel. Lu Xun uses the character of Ah Q to satirize the weaknesses and vices of the Chinese people at that time, such as self - deception and the lack of self - awareness. Reading it can give you a quick taste of modern Chinese literature's critical spirit.
I think 'The Old Curiosity Shop' is a great option. It has a simple yet engaging plot about a young girl and her grandfather. Dickens' writing in this novel is very descriptive, and you can really feel the atmosphere of the old curiosity shop and the world around the characters. It's a good way to start exploring Dickens' works.
'Anne of Green Gables' by L.M. Montgomery can be considered a romantic novel in a way. While it's also about a young girl's growth and her relationships in general, the relationship between Anne and Gilbert is a beautiful slow - burn romance. The descriptions of Prince Edward Island add a charming backdrop to the story.
'Me Before You' by Jojo Moyes. This novel is a great beginner's choice as it combines a beautiful love story with complex themes. The relationship between Louisa Clark and Will Traynor is both heart - warming and heart - breaking. It shows how love can grow in unexpected situations.
The novel 'Karnali Blues' can also be a good start. It's written in a way that is easy to follow and has elements that are relatable. It showcases the life in the Karnali region of Nepal, with its unique culture, challenges, and beauty.
A good one for beginners is 'The Haunting of Hill House' by Shirley Jackson. It's not overly gory but still manages to be extremely creepy. The atmosphere in Hill House is so well - described that you can almost feel the cold and the sense of dread. It plays on psychological horror, with the characters' minds being affected by the house, which is a great introduction to the horror genre.